The heterogenicity of Cowdria ruminantium stocks: cross-immunity and serology in sheep and pathogenicity to mice

Ten stocks of Cowdria ruminantium (Ball 3, Breed, Comoro, Germishuys, Kümm, Kwanyanga, Mali, Mara, Nonile and Welgevonden) were compared from a cross-immunity, serological and mouse pathogenicity point of view. They were found to differ in varying degrees. Except for the Ball 3, Comoro and Germishuys stocks that were similar but not identical, there was no pattern in the antigenic diversity of the 10 stocks. The Welgevonden stock emerged as the stock that elicits an immunity against most of the South African stocks. The inability of the reference Ball 3 stock to protect sheep against no fewer than 6 other stocks questions the advisability of retaining this stock as the vaccine stock. The antigenic diversity of the 10 stocks could not be correlated with the antibody levels detected with the indirect fluorescent antibody test, since the sera against all 10 stocks reacted positively to the Kümm stock antigen and the variation in titres was not stock-related.     

Flow cytometric analysis of T cell response in mice infected with Cowdria ruminantium.

A 3-fold increase in the numbers of Lyt-2+ T cells in the circulating blood of mice infected and re-infected with the Welgevonden stock of Cowdria ruminantium, as determined by flow cytometry, is supportive evidence that immunity in heartwater is cell-mediated. The rise in Lyt-2+ cells only after re-infection of the mice is further evidence that the development of immunity in heartwater is dependent on the unhindered and adequate replication of C. ruminantium.     

Aberrant extradural spinal migration of Spirocerca lupi: four dogs

Spirocerca lupi is a nematode mainly affecting dogs but has been found in other animals, particularly carnivores. Anatomical areas of typical and aberrant migration vary. This report describes four cases of Spirocerca lupi causing neurological symptoms, similar to thoracolumbar disc syndrome, as a result of aberrant migration of the nematode into the spinal canal. In two of the cases, the nematode could be demonstrated intraoperatively. The third was discovered on post-mortem examination, while the fourth case displayed compelling evidence of Spirocerca lupi involvement. Surgical removal of the Spirocerca lupi nematode would be the treatment of choice in cases of spinal migration, with therapeutic and preventive treatment with doramectin instituted to treat remote sites and prevent re-infection. In areas endemic for spirocercosis, Spirocerca lupi should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in cases that are presented with clinical signs suggestive of a spinal cord lesion.     

The application of the indirect fluorescent antibody test in research on heartwater

The preparation of the antigen, details of the reagents, the titration of the antispecies conjugates and the execution of the indirect fluorescent antibody test are described. The sensitivity and specificity of the test and its applicability to the detection of antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium are recorded. The test is both highly specific and sensitive and can be applied to a wide range of studies on heartwater, including epidemiology, determination of the C. ruminantium infection rate of Amblyomma ticks and the evaluation of immunization against heartwater. The test can also be used to detect antibodies to the heartwater agent in the sera of game.     

A note on the social structure of the kudu,Tragelaphus strepsiceros,in an agricultural area

The mean group size of kudus in an agricultural area was 3,9 and noticeably affected by hunting. A low male: female sex ratio was also recorded, but did not influence fecundity negatively.     

THE INFLUENCE OF TYLOSES ON THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES

This article deals with the results of time studies of pruning P. radiata from 22 ft. to 35 ft. with pole saws. The influence on pruning time of mean diameter and number of branches removed in the pruning operation, number of cones removed and time of day is investigated and a multiple regression equation, expressing the relationship between pruning time and these variables, is computed. A taper table is prepared and used to investigate the effect of pruning on the formation of knot-free timber. The economics of high-pruning is discussed.     

兰旗榆——一个在干旱草原区很有发展潜力的造林树种

兰旗榆为白榆的一个地理生态变种,在锡盟浑善达克沙地及其南缘的镶黄旗、正镶白旗、正兰旗等地区生长表现突出。该树种较之其它的白榆品种具有抗旱、抗寒、抗风沙,物候期早,所需积温低以及生长迅速等优良特性,对我区北部干旱草原气候生态条件适应能力强,在草原造林中有着其它树种不可替代的地位和作用,建议大力推广。     

The pathology of heartwater. I. A study of mice infected with the Welgevonden strain of Cowdria ruminantium

Gross and microscopical lesions in mice intravenously infected with the Welgevonden strain of Cowdria ruminantium closely resembled the lesions described in cattle, sheep and goats. A high concentration of organisms was present in alveolar endothelial cells. Cytopathic changes in parasitized and non-parasitized endothelial cells and the morphology of the organisms are described and compared with the Ball3 strain of C. ruminantium. Possible mechanisms in the development of the lung oedema are considered and the role of mice as animal model is discussed.     

基于EOD模式的田园综合体碳平衡初步研究

中国正在不断推进农村绿色经济转型与乡村振兴战略，田园综合体等各种以生态环境为导向的农业开发模式是乡村振兴建设的新途径，驱动农业固碳减排的同时，也带动着传统农业不断向现代农业发展的转变。以EOD（Ecology-Oriented-Development，生态环境导向的开发）模式的上海市金山区枫泾镇郊野村庄田园综合体为研究对象，在现场调研与数据统计的基础上，分析了园区内的碳输入和碳输出以及碳在园内各区域间的流动和储积；同时，根据碳源和碳汇清单和估算结果，分析了田园综合体各区的碳平衡特点。结果显示，上海市金山区郊野村庄田园综合体2021年碳平衡表现为净碳汇区，净碳汇量为152.09 tC，其中排放量为588.79 tC，碳固定量为740.88 tC。田园综合体内，作物种植区通过低碳有机种植模式成为净碳汇量最大的区域，净碳汇量185.76 tC；水产养殖区通过高效的水草多级循环利用模式净碳汇量达62.20 tC；高空间利用率的立体农业区因农肥的碳排放量大表现为碳源区，净碳汇量为-10.81 tC；生产生活区是最大的碳源区，净碳汇量达-85.05 tC，人类文旅活动是其中最大的碳排放源。分析结合该田园综合体的碳流动，提出了发展高物质循环利用率、高空间利用率、低碳有机种植模式和农业科学管理四个农业降碳增汇的方向。